Rockable bed



29, 1 50 G. PRESTON 2,520,563

ROCKABLE BED Filed March 1, l9 49 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 2 GED/76E P863719 G. PRESTON ROCKABLE BED Aug. 29, 1950 Filed Marh 1-, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. 660865 PR6'S7' N.

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firr RuEK Patented Aug. 29, 1950 UNITED S TAT-ES PATENT OFF! CE I George Preston, Ciirtice. "Ohio; assig 'nor of one half to Jack L. Greeiibaiim, Toledo, Ohio 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a rocking bed, and more particularly to a rocking bed construction including hydraulic means for efiecting reciprocal rocking movement thereof.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a bed frame which is reciprocally and rockably mounted upon rollers together with a hydraulic mechanism for reciprocally rocking said frame upon said rollers.

It is the further object of this invention to provide in said construction a reversably operable hydraulic motor to which is joined a cable actuating winch, with said cable being centrally wound around said winch and with the ends thereof extending around rollers and joined to the respective opposite ends of said bed frame.

It is the further object of this invention to provide a switching mechanism in conjunction with said rockable frame to automatically effect reversals of the direction of rotation of said .hydraulic motor whereby the frame rocking cable is moved first in one direction and then in the other.

These and other objects will :be seen from the following specification and claims in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational viewof'the rockable'bed.

Figure 2 is a plan-view thereof.

Figure 3 is a right end elevational View thereof, partiall brokenaway for clarity.

after set out. V I

Referring to the drawings the'base of the melee V ingbed is made up of a rectangular-frame Work which includes a pair of spaced horizontally extending supports H with inturned horizontal flanges l2. Interposed betwe n supports ll and secured thereto are the transverse cross sup orts [3, l4, I5, 16, l! and 18 whose opposite ends are respectively positioned upon the flanges l2.

Supports l I terminate at their ends in the upwardly extending members 19, at the upper ends of. which project outwardly horizontalmembers ices shownri Fi 4- Cross supports c0- the bed frame 29. r

secured at their outer ends of members .20.

The frame --work'- also includes the inwardly clined upwardly extending members 22, "and the horizontal roller supports 23 are positioned and secured between the upper i ends of the inclined members 22, to complete the frame work forsaid base, there being two such frames in parallel spacedarelatiomone of which is-shown-in Figure land the other of which is shown in Figure 4. Intermediate cross braces 24 .as shown in Figure 3 are interposed between the inclined members 22 atopposite ends of the frame work for reinforcing tne same the bracel l in i' igure 3 being partially broken away forcthe .purposelof claritya A pair of spaced rollers 2.5 and26 are journalled upon supporting shafts 21 which are securedto and which project inwardly from the l respective opposite ends of thehorizontal roller supports 23 as shown in Figures 1 and 4. Each pair of rollers 25 and 26 are adapted to rockably support the pair .of spaced arcuate substantially semi-circular sectors 28 which depend from opposite sides of sand bed. frame includes the parallel spaced elements 29 and the end cross pieces 30 which are joined. thereto to form a hollow rectangular frame from which the sectors 28 depend, being secured thereto at their opposite ends adjacent the cross braces .3] and 32 which interconnect elements 29.

.An additional pair of cross. braces 33 and 3.4 are interposed. .between sectors 28 in parallel spaced relation toestablish a rigid relationship between-said sectors and between the bed frame 29-36. Each of the crossbraces 33 and Ellcarry the inwardiysextending control arms .35 and 36 respectivelywhich are adapted to intermittently energize a. pair of microswitchesin the .manner and for the purposehereafter set out in-detail.

mectriemetor ai. is mounted and secured Within the. base .of the rocking bed uponthe cross supports it and if! and is joined to the hydraulic motor 9 by the interconnecting driving shaft 3 8 which.-isrotateid bythemotor 3.1.

Hydraulic motor .39 is illustrated diagrammatically and :shown positioned and secured upon the .cross bracesl M and i5, Figures .2 .and 4, .said hydraulic .motor having a rotatable drive shaft M .which' is joined to the winch or shaft 42' for: rotating the same in one direction or the other. v 1 I Ifhe detailef construction of said hydraulic motor forms no vpart oi the present invention and frame in the oppositedirection.

its detailed description is omitted, said motor being of a conventionalconstruction adapted to be driven by motor actuated shaft 38, and having a reciprocally rotatable drive shaft 4|. Said hydraulic motor is covered by one or more of the following United States patents: 2,250,512; 2,277,570; and 2,313,404.

' Said hydraulic motor has a control arm 45 shown in Figures 4 and 15 which is adapted to assume either of the dotted line positions shown in Figure 5 for determining the direction of rotation of shaft M which operates the winch 42.

The outer end of shaft 42 is rotatably supported and journalled' within the upper end of upright support 43 upon the platform 44, said platform straddling and being supported upon cross braces I4 and I5.

Winch 42has secured thereto the cable engaging pulley 45 around which is wound cable 46 at its central portion, the opposite ends of said cable projecting in opposite directions around the guide rollers 41 carried upon supports 49, with the ends of said'cable being respectively joined at points 56 and5l to the opposite ends of the bed frame 293flas shown in Figure 4. It is noted from Figure 4 that the supports 49 are centrally mounted upon the cross braces l3 and 18 of the bed frame or base ll. 7

As shown in Figure 3 the sectors 28 have formed in their under surfaces the undercut arcuate slots 28, into which retainingly and cooperatively pro jectzthe sector supporting rollers 25 and 25. By this construction it is apparent that the bed frame carried by said sectors is adapted to freely rock unonsaidrollerswith a minimumof friction with the rocking motion of said frame being determined by the translatory movements of the cable 46 first in one direction and then in the opposite direction as the which 42 is rotated first in one direction and then in the opposite direction.

a hydraulic motor of a conventional'construction may be employed wherein a single control arm by its'positioning may determine the direction of rotation "of the drive shaft which projects from such motor; In the present embodiment such a hydraulic motor is employed as an element in the present combination whereby shaft 4| may be rotated in one di-j rection or the otherffor winding and unwinding the'cabl'e 45 upon the pulley wheel 45..

As above described It will be noted that rotation of the drive shaft 4! in one direction affects the corresponding rotation of the winch or shaft 42 which carries cable operating pulley 45. Consequently rotae tion of pulley 45 in one direction will cause lengthening of one end of cable 46 and shorten ing of the other end to effect a tilting rocking motion of the bed frame 29. It follows'further that rotation of said pulley in the opposite direc tion'will cause lengthening of the other end of thecable and corresponding shortening of the opposite end to effect a tilting motion of thebed The present invention contemplates an "an 7 tomatic mechanism for intermittently settingthe position of the control arm 40 of the hydraulic 1 unit39 between the two positions 49"and4il? shown in Figure'5; Thus, a rocking motion of the-bed frame 2 a 3nwi11 be'accomplished. The; 7 positioning of control arm 40 is effected by a ,and'fill are arranged so that their inner ends d are adapted to intermittently engage control arm 45.

When solenoid 57 is energized control arm 40 will be moved to the dotted line position identified as 46", and the winch 42-55 will rotate in one direction. When solenoid 59 is energized control arm 45} will be moved to the dotted line I position 412', and the winch will rotate in the.

opposite direction. 7

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 there is shown micro switch 52 mounted on hydraulic motor 39,

including contact arm 5| and contact 53, with i control arm 35 being adapted to project contact the rockable sectors 28, it is apparent that said arms will intermittently energize or engage the corresponding contact arms 54 and 5! of the microswitches 55 and 52 respectively, whereby the solenoids 51 and 59will be alternately and intermitently energized.

As shown in Figure 5 a duplex outlet 6! is shown which is adapted for attachment upon the outside of the bed base whereby electrical energy may be introduced for operating the electric motor 37 and for energizing the two solenoids 57 and 59; r V

A toggle switch is generally'indicated at 64 and is connected with outlet 5| bythe lead 52'. A second lead 63 interconnects outlet 6| with the motor 31. V a 7 Control arm '55 forms a part of toggle switch 54 and is adapted upon closing movement to establish connection between lead 52 and the return lead 66 between switch Edand motor 37. Consequently when the control arm 55 is moved to a closed circuit position the electrical circuit to the motor 3? will include the leads 82, and 63.

Control arm 65 is adapted to also close the circuit between the lead 62 and the lead 57 which is joined to the two microswitches '55 and 52 as shown inFigure 5. Microswitch 55 is joined to the solenoid 5! by the leadGB, and said solenoid will be energized when the contact arm 55 is brought into engagement with contact 55. As illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 5 contact arm 35 when moved in the direction indicated by the arrow will close the connection between contact arm 55 and contact 55 so that electrical energy will flow through the leads 62, 51, 54, 68, It! and IL-also lead 53. V 7 Furthermore micro switch 52 is joined to solenoid 59 by the leads 69, and said solenoid will into engagement with contact 53. As illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 5, contact arm 36 carried by the arcuate sector 28, when movedin the direction indicated by the'arrow will close athe connection between contact, arm 5| and con- ,tact 53 so that electricalenergy will flow through the'leads 52, 67,51, 69, in and B3,

By the above construction it appears that whenthe switch 64 is closed the motor 31 is immediately energized and'the shaft 38 rotated. The direction of rotation of .the shaft 4! of hydraulicjmotor 39 will beidetermined depending upon the position of the control arm 45. Thus, the two circuits above identified; will be inter- 5. mittently and alternately energized so that first the arm 46 is moved to one position'such as 4V and then will be moved to the opposite position 40". In this manner the position of the control arm Ml will be intermittently changed with the result that shaft il will rock or reciprocally rotate first in one direction and then in the other,

This will accomplish winding of the-cable 46; around the pulley (i5 first in one direction and then the other and this in turn will rock the bed frame Eli-25 upon its supporting rollers 25 andili. V i

As shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 there'are four casters i2 provided at the opposite corners-of the de'vice'being swlvell'y joined below and to the frame elements 213, said casters journalling "the wheels "is whereby the rockable frame'may'ibe pushed as desired. a

-A .sl-ight variation is shown in Figure 6 of the drawing which provides a caliper adjustment foritlie control arms 35 and 36' to regulate their angularity for controlling the pitch or extent -of the rocking motion of the bed frame 29.

It will be noted that the control arms '35 and 36' which correspond to the control'arms '35 and 36, are pivotally mounted at their upper ends at points it and i5 respectively to the block 16- wlii-ch'is suitably carried by the frame 29 between arcuate members 28.

A leadscrew shaft "I? is provided having formed thereon a pair of oppositely arranged threads I8 and it which are respectively threaded through the nuts 82 and 3| pivotally joined at points 83 to the respective control arms 36' and 35, saidshaftwbeing centrally vsupported bythe supporting element 88 which dependsfrom the block 16 and which has an opening for receiving said shaft.

Rotatable shaft 84 is arranged in a central position longitudinally of the frame 29 and thereunder, and is joined to the shaft l1 by the universal connection 85. There is second universal-connection it at the upper end of shaft 84 for joining the same to the rotatable element 81 supported within frame 29.

Collar 38 is provided upon the outer end of element 8? and may be manually rotated or by a suitable crank for transmitting rotary motion to the shaft 11. It is apparent that rotation in one direction will adjust control arms 35 and 36' toward each other tending to reduce the rocking arc of the frame 29. On the other hand rotation in the opposite direction will adjust control arms 35' and 36 away from each other tending to increase the rocking arc of the frame 29.

Having described my invention, reference should now be had to the claims which follow for determining the scope thereof.

I claim: I

1. In combination, a base including a pair of spaced side frame elements, a pair of aligned longitudinally spaced rollers journalled upon each element, a bed frame, a pair of spaced arouate sectors joined at their ends to said bed frame and depending therefrom for cooperative supported engagement with said rollers, a reciprocally rotatable winch on said base, and a cable ported engagement with said rollers, a reciprocentrally wound on said winch with its ends early 'rotatable'win chpn said base, a cable centrallywound on 's'aidwmch with its ends joined to tne'resp'ective opposite ends of said frame for l'o'ckingtne same 'on said rollers, and a hydraulic motor joined to said winch for reciprocally rotating the same.

4'. lil combination, a base, a pair of aligned longitudinally spaced rollers journailed upon opposite sides of said base,-a, frame, a pair of spaced'arcuate sectors j'o'med at their ends to said frame and depending therefrom for coop-'- erative supported engagement with said rollers, areciprocally rotatable winch on said base, a cable centrally wound'on said winch with its ends joined to the respective opposite ends of said framefor rocking the same on said rollers, a hydraulic motor joined to said winch for r'eciprocailyrotatmg the same, and an electric motor on said base in driving relation-with said hydrau'iic motor. I v -5.'In "combination, a base, a pair of aligned longitudinally spaced rollers journalledupon 0pposit'e sides-of said base, a frame, a pair of spaced arcuat'e sectors oined'at their ends to said frame and depending therefrom for cooperative sup ported engagement with said rollers, a reciprocally rotatablewinch upon said base, a cable centrally wound on said winch with its ends joined to-the respective opposite ends of said frame for rocking the same'on'said rollers, and a hydraulic motor on said base joined .to said winch for reciprocally rotating the same,.said hydraulic mo tor having a movable control arm for reversing the direction of rotation of said winch.

6. In combination, a base, a pair of aligned longitudinally spaced rollers journalled upon opposite sides of said base, a frame, a pair of spaced arcuate sectors joined at their ends to said frame and depending therefrom for cooperative supported engagement with said rollers, a reciprocally rotatable winch supported upon said base, a cable centrally wound upon said winch with its ends joined to the respective opposite ends of said frame for rocking the same on saidv rollers, a hydraulic motor on said base joined to said winch for reciprocally rotating the same, said motor having a movable control arm for reversing the direction of rotation of said winch, and a pair of spaced control means on said sectors adapted to intermittently move said control arm in opposite directions.

7. In combination, a base, a pair of aligned longitudinally spaced rollers journalled upon opposite sides of said base, a frame, a pair of spaced arcuate sectors joined at their ends to said frame and depending therefrom for cooperative supported engagement with said rollers, a reciprocally rotatable winch journalled upon said base, a cable centrally wound upon said winch with its ends joined to the respective opposite ends of said frame for rocking the same on said rollers, a hydraulic motor on said base joined to said winch for reciprocally rotating the same, said motor having a movable control arm for reversing arcuate sectors joined'at theirends tosaid frame and dependin therefrom for cooperative supported engagement with saidrollers, a'recipi-ocgl ly rotatable winch journalled upon said base, a cable centrally wound uponsaid winch withits ends joined to the respective opposite'ends' of 'saidiframe for locking thesame' 'on' saidro'll'ers a hydraulic motor on said base joined to said winch for reciprocally rotatin the same,' said motor having a movable control arm for reversing the operation thereof, a pair of spaced' solen'oids upon said motor with their respective'mow' able elements arranged upon opposite sides or switches electrically connected to said solenoids, and a pair of spaced control arms on said sectors adapted to intermittently energize said limit switches as the'irame is rocked on said rollers.

I, In combination, a base including a pair of spaced side frame elements, a pair of aligned longitudinally spaced rollers journalled upon each element, abed frame, a pair of spaced arcuate sectors joined at their ends to said bed frame and depending therefrom for cooperative rocking engagement ,upon said rollers, a reciprocally rotatable winch on said base, and a cable centrally wound on said winch with its ends joinedtothe respective opposite ends of said bed frame for rockingj'the same on said rollers, said seetors' having central undercut slots along their bottom surfaces for cooperatively receiving and supportably engaging said rollers. 11. In combination, a base, a pair of aligned longitudinally spaced rollers journalled upon each side of said base, a frame, a, pair'of spaced arcuate said control arm to operatively engage the'same uponinterrnittent energization'of said solenoids, and a pair of spaced control arms on said sectors 7 adapted to intermittently energize said solenoids as said frame is rocked upon said rollers.

9." In combination, a base,'a pair of aligned longitudinally spaced rollers journalled upon opposite sides of said base, a frame," a pair of spaced arcuate sectors joined at their ends to saidiframe and depending therefrom for cooperative engagement with said rollers, a reciprocally rotatable secters jo-ined at their ends to said frame and depending therefrom for cooperative rocking engagement upon said rollers, a reciprocally rotate;- ble winch on said base, a cable centrallywound upon said winch withits ends joined to the re spective opposite ends of said frame for rocking the same on said rollers, and guide pulleys supported upon and journalled adjacent opposite ends of said base around which'said cable extends.

GEORGE PRESTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

- UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Number v Name Date 856,580 Hantske June 11, 1907 i V FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Sweden l Nov. 14, 1940 

